Uploaded January 2017 | Updated September 2026, 10 hours ago
Published in 1839, this piece was composed when Schumann was only 29. The main theme employs a flowing arpeggio accompaniment with a joyful dotted melody. The following e minor theme provides a contrasting mood, modulating several times. After the intense minor parallel octaves, what follows at 1:56 is a heartfelt and harmonically interesting section. The piece might as well be considered an etude in moving between contrasting themes and moods.
The faster metronome markings seen in this edition of the sheet music are the original ones given by Robert Schumann. They were later revised by Clara (quarter note/crotchet = 126 in the main theme).
Sheet music: imslp.org/wiki/Arabeske,_Op.18_(Schumann,_Robert)
Performance by Jonathan Biss.
Published in 1839, this piece was composed when Schumann was only 29. The main theme employs a flowing arpeggio accompaniment with a joyful dotted melody. The following e minor theme provides a contrasting mood, modulating several times. After the intense minor parallel octaves, what follows at 1:56 is a heartfelt and harmonically interesting section. The piece might as well be considered an etude in moving between contrasting themes and moods.
The faster metronome markings seen in this edition of the sheet music are the original ones given by Robert Schumann. They were later revised by Clara (quarter note/crotchet = 126 in the main theme).
Sheet music: imslp.org/wiki/Arabeske,_Op.18_(Schumann,_Robert)
Performance by Jonathan Biss.
